Blasted Hellhound

‘Protector in residence now, wolf already wary of me. May be out of time, the girl is young but not stupid, my cover will not last much longer.’ The note was hastily scribbled on a scrap of paper before he set fire to it making it vanish. He knew that the recipient would understand without any names. Pacing the room he hoped for a quick response, he felt oddly caged in in this building, the room he had been assigned was high up and overlooked the front of the building, the drive.

It came, unfortunately it was not what he had hoped for.

‘Hold your position, do not let your cover slip. We will consider expediting the plan. Remember your aims, if you did your job better the protector wouldnt be a problem would he? Take no unauthorised actions.’

He sat heavily on the bed with a loud exclamation “fuck!” Before burning the paper and vanishing the ashes. Feeling very much like a chastised child he turned his attention to the bathroom and set the shower running, he had to admit that the modern amenities were a boon of his extended presence in this pack of dogs, even if there was a disticnt lack of magic around.

The girl showed promise but she would need to be removed from the influence of these animals and her family to reach her true potential. The training she needed could not be provided here.

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December rolled around, as it does every year, taking everyone by surprise. Ash had been with the pack for almost a year, Kit for around 9 months and Blaze for 3 months. Since Blaze’s arrival, Ash’s control over her powers seemed to grow every day.

The fae seeming to be able to handle anything she threw at him, even that one time she set him on fire, and of course Micah rushed to their assistance as fast as wolfly possible.

Micah noticed that the bond between Ash and Blaze seemed to grow in strength exponentially, while she seemed to be putting distance between her and Kit. Mark was reporting the same too, and what was more Kit was allowing this distance and didnt seem to be bothered by it, whereas Blaze seemed to get almost as antsy as Micah did when he couldnt be with Ash for more than a few hours.

He had given the fae a few very harsh warnings when they were training, but according to Micah, it was the fae’s own fault that he needed to be told off for touching what was Micah’s alone to touch.

The wolf would not share. Blaze held his hands up, he fell victim to the bond sometimes and couldnt help himself, he needed to learn control sooner rather than later, after all, it wasnt like his bed was ever cold if he didnt want it to be. Micah and Mark could smell several of the pack females on him sometimes, this they hid from Ash, she didnt need to know that her protector was acting like a man whore when her back was turned.

Besides, all involved were clearly consenting adults. Ash was not an adult and what was more, she had a mate, though she hadnt been raised in the supernatural community, she mightn’t understand the lines that blaze was crossing.

The palace had “requested” Ash’s presence at their annual Yule celebrations on 22nd December, asking her to arrive the day before and informing the pack that as celebrations tend to take place at night she wouldnt be returning until late the following day.

Micah and Mark were absolutely not invited in any form Octavia had written in her letter to Ash. Only Blaze and Kit were allowed because they were her protectors.

“This is absolutely laughable, I don’t understand this attitude at all, why are they fine with Blaze and not you? What is the difference in the protector bond to the mate bond?” Ash demanded after she had read the letter.

“No, im not having it, I’ll write back and say that I’m not prepared to put you through that.” She said quickly, picking up a pen and pulling some loose writing paper towards her from Micah’s desk.

“Ash, baby, I appreciate it, I do. But if you do that then they might try and take you away from me for good, or atleast until you are of age, because I’m keeping you from your duties” Micah replied, his hand on hers

“But I am a member of this pack! I did the ceremony and everything remember?”

“My father said it might not be enough if you dont attend all the ceremonies and things they want you to”

“urghhh, fine! But I will talk to my grandfather about this!” Ash had groaned, slamming the pen back down on the desk and stalking out of the office to pack her bag.

In her room, the bag half packed, she lay on the floor with shadow. “I dont even know what to pack for a Yule celebration at a palace Shadow, what does one wear for that?” She asked the hound, knowing full well he couldnt actually answer. But go she must wether she knew what was going to happen or not.

**********************************************

Ash had been gone for 24 hours, Micah estimated another 20 to go. He didnt think he had ever been more restless and the beast of Blaze’s that he had left in the apartment seemed to agree with Micah. The room was too small and Ash had been gone far too long already.

He too paced anxiously, unable to settle to anything and insistent on guarding Ash’s empty room. Micah wasnt sure if they would survive without having to call them home early. This was absolute torture, he knew that it was necessary, but it was still a form of torture, even Ash would be feeling it, he was sure.

it was gone midnight now, the Yule ritual would be in full swing at the palace. Micah was attempting to sleep, one of Ash’s t-shirts tucked into his pillow case. He hadnt slept yesterday and he doubted he would tonight but he would make an effort and atleast lay in his bed tonight.

The house had long since fallen silent as everyone either left or retreated to their own rooms but he was still tossing and turning, unable to quiet his mind. Zander on edge feeling their connection to their mate dulled by distance and magic, it made his fur stand on edge.

A loud snarl was the first sign that anything was amiss, thank the goddess for that blasted hell hound!